Coronation Street star speaks out to confirm long-awaited return after 9 years

Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas has spoken out about his return to the ITV soap after nearly a decade.

The actor played Jason Grimshaw from 2000 to 2016 and was involved in some huge storylines during that time, including his marriage to Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien).

In 2016, Jason left the cobbles for a new life in Thailand, where he has been living ever since.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Ryan would be reprising his role as Jason, nine years after his departure.

Now, Ryan has confirmed that he is set to make a brief return to Weatherfield as part of Eileen Grimshaw’s (Sue Cleaver) exit, after being asked by his co-star.

‘I got the call from Sue Cleaver asking if I would come back for her exit, so I’m going to step onto the cobbles for five minutes,’ he told the Daily Star.

He was quick to add how excited he was, saying: ‘My kids weren’t alive when I was on Corrie, so it’ll be nice for them to see this. Maybe I will get to take my kids on the cobbles!’

Ryan credited the ITV soap for kick-starting his career, revealing that he would always be ‘loyal’ to Corrie.

‘They taught me everything I know, he explained. ‘I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for the show. That place will always have my respect.’

Sue Cleaver is set to leave her role as Eileen Grimshaw after 25 years, with her final scenes set to air later this year.

Last month, viewers were thrilled to welcome back Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) to the cobbles as part of Eileen’s exit story.

However, they were left devastated when Julie revealed that she had terminal cancer.